Remember childhood road trips? Rocking up to a motel with a "Vacancy" sign, doing a quick jump-check on the bed before hitting the pool? These retro stays capture all that nostalgia in a grown-up package.
The Sunseeker
Location: Byron Bay
Why visit: "Holiday often" are the words painted onto the smooth concrete stair risers at The Sunseeker. If your destination is this exquisitely refurbished Byron Bay hotel, it's good advice. Local craftspeople brought the dilapidated 1980s establishment back to life: architects gave each suite and bungalow a private, leafy outdoor space; landscapers planned and tend the lush gardens that surround the mineral pool; designers brought together the timber, terracotta and apricot-hued interiors.
What's nearby: There's plenty to do on the property: swim in the pool, sit by the fire pit or peruse the library. Located on the main road in and out of Byron, the hotel is a few minutes from Byron's shops and cafes as well as Main Beach. Borrow one of the hotel's pushbikes or electric bikes and cycle in.
Price: From $285
The Sunseeker, Byron Bay - Credit: James Tolic
Hillcrest
Location: Merimbula
Why visit: Stand on any of the balconies at Hillcrest and you'll see sleepy suburbs, sparkling Merimbula Lake and the Pacific beyond. The modern rooms nod to the hotel's late-60s inception, with features of dark timber, exposed brick and glass blocks. Bright, abstract paintings by artist-in-residence, Adela Kusur, line the walls of the beachy lounge bar that serves local pastries for breakfast and works on the honesty system for the rest of the day with snacks, local beers and wine.
What's nearby: Follow the Merimbula Boardwalk between mangrove forest and lake (it's a beautiful place to watch the sun set), go for a swim or stand-up paddle board on the jewel-toned water, taste freshly shucked oysters from The Oyster Barn, visit the Long Point Lookout in May or October for a chance to see migrating whales. Or stay in and enjoy that magnificent view from the pool.
Price: From $239
Hillcrest, Merimbula
Kyah Hotel
Location: Blackheath
Why visit: Just beyond the cacti-flanked coach entrance of Kyah Hotel, there's a woodfired spa tub behind a timber screen. It's the perfect place to be when that quintessential Blue Mountains mist settles over Blackheath. Another perfect place is next to one of the many woodstoves that warm the dining room at Blaq, the hotel's onsite restaurant. Order from the NSW-focused wine list and tuck into platters of grilled WA scampi or snapper with sumac before retiring to your king-sized bed.
What's nearby: Borrow an electric bike and ride to the stunning lookout at the top of the Grand Canyon Walking Track or head into Blackheath to peruse the antiques at Victory Theatre Antique Centre, pick up a bottle of natural wine at Frankie and Mo's or head to Aqua Ignis bathhouse for a soak in a mineral bath.
Price: From $330
Kyah Hotel, Blackheath - Credit: Steven Woodburn | Kyah Boutique Hotel
The Isla
Location: Batehaven
Why visit: At The Isla, the ocean is so close you can smell the salt in the air as you stand on one of the hotel's front balconies. Checking in and heading for the sand might be your first impulse, but then there's the pool surrounded by comfortable sun lounges, vending machines stocked with tinned cocktails, craft beers and snacks, and luxurious retro suites - no one would blame you for deciding to stay in.
What's nearby: Have fresh oysters at The Farm Gate and Oyster Shed on the banks of the Clyde River, take a seaside walk past public artworks or for a challenging trek, follow the Corn Trail, a historic inland route forged by Aboriginal peoples during seasonal travel between the coast and tablelands.
Price: From $380
The Isla, Batehaven
Astor Hotel Motel
Location: Albury
Why visit: The Astor Hotel Motel has so faithfully preserved its retro charm, the pale pink, teal and orange exterior with its zig-zag balcony railings is regularly featured in magazine and advertising photoshoots. Each room though is practical and pared back with accommodation for singles, couples and families, and there's also a three-bedroom house next door for bigger groups.
What's nearby: The 15km Murray River pathway winds through wetlands and riverside parks shaded by red gum trees. Look out for the Yindyamarra Sculpture Walk with 15 contemporary works that tell the stories of Indigenous connection to the land. If you're staying at the hotel on a Saturday, cross the Murray River (and state border) to visit the Albury Wodonga Farmers Market for golden apple pies, crusty sourdough, flowers and local fresh produce.
Price: From $144
Astor Hotel Motel, Albury
The Berry View
Location: Berry
Why visit: Each tangerine door at The Berry View reveals a different style of room, one with country views, one with a freestanding soaker tub, another with space for big families. Float in the infinity pool or walk to town. Once a mid-century roadhouse, this boutique motel is near the centre of Berry, making it the perfect base for exploring antique shops and bakeries.
What's nearby: Time your visit with the first Sunday of the month and visit The Berry Markets. Or climb 600m above sea level to Drawing Room Rocks at Barren Grounds Nature Reserve. Erosion has given this horizontal sandstone strata the look of flat-topped tables where you can perch and look out over the sometimes-misty landscape with the ocean in the distance.
Price: From $193
The Berry View, Berry - Credit: The Berry View
Dolphins Motel
Location: Mollymook
Why visit: The kitschy-cool, colourful vacancy sign announcing Dolphins Motel places it firmly in an era of milk bars and cars with fins. But each room is a modern take on the past. There are gold, rust and pink-toned king bedrooms with terrazzo kitchenettes and private terraces or a three-bedroom apartment with a full kitchen and a wood fireplace for cosy nights in.
What's nearby: Ulladulla, Mollymook and Milton are all close by. Take your pick of reliable surf at the beach, shopping at charming local stores and Cupitt's Estate winery for long lunches with a view of the hills.
Price: From $273
Dolphins Motel, Mollymook - Credit: Chris Warnes
Copyright: Dolphins Motel
Halcyon House
Location: Cabarita Beach
Why visit: Halcyon House is a seaside resort that mixes retro-maximalist design with restorative relaxation. There's a Swedish sauna and cold plunge, rows of poolside sun loungers shaded by umbrellas, meals at lauded restaurant Paper Daisy and morning yoga on the shores of Cabarita Beach, which is footsteps away from the accommodation.
What’s nearby: Pick up a bottle of butterfly pea flower Ink Gin at Husk Farm Distillery or visit Tweed Regional Museum for contemporary regional art.
Price: From $697
Halcyon House, Cabarita Beach - Credit: Halcyon House
The Nyngan Hotel
Location: Nyngan
Why visit: The oldest hotel on the list, The Nyngan Hotel was built in 1883. History weaves it way through the contemporary renovation via exposed brick walls, an outdoor mural of a drover on horseback and original light fixtures and heritage features. Love a long soak? Book room 33. The oversized suite was once part of the hotel's residence and has an enormous bathroom and tub.
What's nearby: Learn about the region's gold rush history at the Nyngan Museum, walk through the Macquarie Marshes Nature Reserve (the largest wetlands in southeast Australia and a breeding ground for waterbirds). The Big Bogan, a quirky five-metre-tall sculpture, is also in Nyngan.
Price: From $205
The Nyngan Hotel, Nyngan - Credit: The Nyngan Hotel
Sea Sea Hotel
Location: Crescent Head
Why visit: At Sea Sea Hotel, details count. In-room speakers set the mood with curated mix tapes, surfboards are available for hire and DJs spin records in the audio lounge or by the pool on sunny days. Every few months the hotel hosts a takeover weekend with a chef and wine producer curating menus. After a full day, the timber-panelled rooms with king-sized beds and leather lounge seats are serene retreats that flow to their own private gardens.
What's nearby: This laid-back village sits on a headland between two cracking surf beaches: Crescent Head Beach (one of the best in the country) and Killick Beach (favoured by long-boarders and families). Stay on land and take the Headland Walk where you can spot dolphins all year and migrating whales in May and October.
Price: From $335
Sea Sea Hotel, Crescent Head - Credit: Sea Sea Hotel
The Palace Hotel
Location: Broken Hill
Why visit: A few years younger than The Nyngan Hotel, The Palace Hotel is an Australian icon in part for its role in the iconic 1994 movie, The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert. Built in 1889, this Broken Hill hotel's lobby and dining room walls are covered in murals of Australian landscapes by Aboriginal artist Gordon Waye, while the guest rooms vary wildly in decor. To get the Silver Screen treatment, book the Priscilla Suite where the characters stayed in the movie.
What's nearby: The oldest regional gallery in NSW, the Broken Hill Regional Art Gallery's collection includes works by the Brushmen of the Bush as well as Aboriginal artists Badger Bates and Emily Kame Kngwarreye. A few kilometres from town Outback Astronomy runs guided stargazing tours, or stay in at the hotel for regular games of two-up, drag bingo and karaoke nights
Price: From $175
The Palace Hotel Broken Hill, Broken Hill - Credit: The Palace Hotel Broken Hill
